Wednesday, 17 July 2002 19:48
Last Updated on Monday, 27 February 2012 13:57

17.07.2002

Sarajevo, 19th of September 2002.

PRESS RELEASE

Press Council issues Note of guidance for editors in the pre-election period

In this very important pre-election period the Press Council is issuing this note as a reminder to all editors of the vital role they play in transmitting news and views to the public and of the continuing need to follow the Press Code by which the industry has chosen to regulate itself.

Unlike the electronic media, the printed press in B&H is subject to self-regulatory rather than statutory controls. It is the only country in south-eastern Europe where self-regulation, in the guise of the B&H Press Council, has been successfully established. It’s continued success and existence rely on all editors of newspapers and magazines to maintain and consolidate the support that have given to the Council so far. In return the Council will continue to work independently and fairly to ensure that the press acts responsibly while staying free. The following paragraphs will highlight those parts of the Code that may be of particular significance over the next few weeks.

Accurate reporting and freedom of expression

Individual newspapers and magazines have individual opinions and views on all matters and at this current time their political standpoints are especially prominent. Article 6 of the Code states that publications are “free to express their own views” and the Press Council will always seek to uphold this right as long, of course, as the press “distinguishes clearly between comment, conjecture and fact”, as Article 6 also requires. The role of the press in active public debate is essential but the need to present facts accurately and fairly must not be forgotten. Indeed, as Article 2 says, “it is the highest responsibility of reporters and editors to ensure in all their work a respect for factual truth and the right of the public to know the truth”.

The responsibility of the press in its role of informing the public is particularly important in the run-up to an election when each citizen of B&H will cast their vote on the basis of what they know about their political candidates. For this reason, while newspapers and magazines will rightly have their own preferences, they must bear in mind the general provisions of the Press Code as enshrined in Article 1. This states that “it is the duty of journalists and publishers to respect the needs of citizens for useful, timely and relevant information” for it is only through the receipt of such information that they themselves can determine their preferences in an impartial manner.

Discrimination and incitement.

The last part of the Code that the Council wishes to draw to the attention of editors is Article 3. This reminds the press to be aware at all times of “the danger that arises when media, deliberately or by inadvertence, encourages discrimination and intolerance”. In this pre-election period the Council believes it is vital that the press, as required by Article 3, does its utmost “not to incite or inflame hatred or inequality on grounds of ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or…disability”.

A free and responsible press

The Press Council issues this note not as a warning to editors – it is simply a reminder that in this crucial time their role and their responsibilities are more important than ever. A press that is both free and responsible is the best sort and it is the sort desired by the Press Council, the people of B&H and, the Council hopes, the press itself. The citizens of this country look to the press for guidance but also for straight facts so that they may guide themselves. The Press Council looks to the press, whose members follow an honourable profession, to meet the high expectations of the people.

End of Press Release

Notes to Editors

What is the Press Council and who sits on it?

The B&H Press Council was established in August 2000 is the only true self regulatory body for the press in South Eastern Europe. Its remit is to deal with complaints from members of the public about newspapers and magazines (first complaint arrived in September 2001). The Press Council provides a free, quick and easy service with the aim of resolving disputes in an amicable way rather than going to formal adjudication by the Council. The Council publicises and operates a transparent procedure for these complaints and makes public its findings. It has a small secretariat based in Sarajevo.

It is extremely important to note that the B&H Press Council is not be able to fine, suspend, close down or licence newspaper or magazines. It seeks to resolve any complaint based on fairness and common sense and only through journalistic remedies.

Other general functions include:

to act as a professional press industry advisory group for the public and appropriate authorities; to promote those developments that ensure the freedom of the media and the protection of journalists rights; to stand against any developments that could jeopardise the rights and privileges of journalists and endanger the free flow of information; to give recommendations and guidelines for journalistic work as appropriate; and to propose amendments to the Press Code.

Under the guidance of the International Chairman, Professor Robert Pinker (currently acting chairman of the Press Complaints Commission in the UK), the members of the Press Council are: